Arbor Day Celebration Set For Friday

Lafayette has received the distinction of a Tree City USA from the Arbor Day Foundation for the last 27 years.

This year to celebrate Arbor Day, the Arbor Day Foundation along with Lafayette's Garden Club and Mayor-President Joel Robideaux will have a tree planting ceremony this Friday morning.

The tree will be planted at 10 o'clock on the morning of January 18 at Thomas Park, and the Mayor-President will also make a proclamation at the event.

The proclamation will outline the many reasons for planting trees including to

"improve air quality, provide shade, reduce storm water run-off, decrease noise pollution, provide wildlife habitat, increase property values, attract tourists and businesses, beautify neighborhoods, and create a stronger sense of community."

Now in order to continue the distinction of a Tree City Usa, we follow four requirements of the program including "having a tree board, a tree-care ordinance, an Arbor Day observance and proclamation along with an annual community forestry budget of at $2 per capita."

Thomas Park is located at 300 Geraldine Dr.